Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman

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Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely FineMy rating:

In her impressive debut novel, Gail Honeyman introduces Eleanor Oliphant, a highly intelligent and articulate, yet rather comically socially inept character. Eleanor has no social life and chats with her mother on Wednesday evenings. She has a day job, and keeps to herself. She also spends her week-ends downing vodka alone at home. But Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine. Or is she?

The writing is superb, and we discover a deep and scarred protagonist. Eleanor has a “Don Tillman” quality but you can tell from the top it runs much deeper, and there is no hint of Asperger’s. I quickly found myself wanting to know more, and was both amused and fascinated by her sometimes wild fantasies, sometimes incredibly down to earth attitude, not to  mention her complex relationship with her unpredictable mother.

This book was a page-turner, and thoroughly enjoyable, funny, profound, thoughtful, moving and full of  kindness, and tolerance. I absolutely loved it!


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Comments

  1. Sue Jackson23 May 2020 at 17:49

    Oh, I LOVED this novel, read for my book group last year! So glad you liked it, too. Isn't Eleanor just an amazing, unique character? I loved both the depth of emotion and how hilarious the novel was.

    Great review!

    Sue

    2020 Big Book Summer Challenge

    ReplyDelete
  2. Elinor27 May 2020 at 22:33

    Hi Sue,

    Thank you!

    Absolutely agree - she is such a lovable, awkward and cultured character. I learned quite a few words and loved the Latin too.

    The book really stands out, it’s one of those really special ones.

    Elinor

    ReplyDelete

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